VAD battery holster

ABSTRACT

VAD Battery Holster is a device that contains the batteries of a VAD in holsters and allows the holsters to fit securely to the body of the user. VAD Battery Holster utilizes two adjustable straps that are designed to be situated on either side of the front of a user and extend from the front to the back of the user where they cross over one another. The two adjustable straps attach in the front and the back to two holsters designed to be located on either side and near the hips of the user. The holsters have hoops on them to permit a belt to be attached through them and wrapped around a user&#39;s waist. An additional strap in the front of the device connects the adjustable straps to secure the device around the chest of the user and another strap on the back of the device connects the holsters around the lower back of the user to further support and secure the device to the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application does not claimpriority to any United States Provisional Patent Application or anyforeign patent application.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to the medical accessoriesindustries. The invention discussed herein is in the generalclassification of battery holsters for heart devices.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals suffer from heart disease, infection or other damage tothe heart that requires surgery and/or the use of special equipment tosave and improve their lives.

A ventricular assist device (VAD) is one type of device that patientscan use to maintain adequate blood flow and blood pressure whiledecreasing the strain on the heart. A VAD consists of a blood pump andcontrol unit for temporary support of blood circulation.

However, normally the VAD is battery powered and requires the use ofholsters to contain the batteries used to power the pump and controlunit. The VAD is often used temporarily as a life sustaining device as apatient awaits a heart transplant or to allow a heart to heal or toincrease blood flow through the heart. A VAD may also be usedpermanently in situations in which a patient is ineligible for orunwilling to undergo a heart transplant.

Because many individuals use the VAD either permanently or for extendedperiods of time while awaiting a heart transplant, the VAD batteriesmust be properly contained in holsters and secured to the body to allowan individual to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.

Many patients that use a VAD are still able to pursue recreationalactivities, including moderately stressful ones such as golfing.Golfing, as well as many other activities, requires a full range ofmotion to permit the user to enjoy the activity completely.Unfortunately, standard VAD battery holsters do not permit an unimpededrange of motion to users because the battery holsters are not securedtightly enough to a user's body.

A standard device for holding VAD batteries utilizes two adjustablestraps that cross in the back and attach to holsters on either side ofthe patient in both the back and the front. The holsters have hoops onthem to permit a belt or the like to be attached to them. However, thesetwo adjustable straps are inadequate to tightly secure the batteries andbattery holsters of the VAD to the body of the user. Often, the holsterscontaining the batteries can preclude a VAD user from enjoying unimpededmotion with his arms and upper body.

Hence, there is a need in the art for a convenient to use, inexpensive,durable, safe and effective device for securing the batteries of a VADin holsters that are attached securely to the body of the user of a VAD.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

VAD Battery Holster is a device that contains the batteries of a VAD inholsters and allows the holsters to fit securely to the body of theuser. VAD Battery Holster utilizes two adjustable straps that aredesigned to be situated on either side of the front of a user and extendfrom the front to the back of the user where they cross over oneanother. The two adjustable straps attach in the front and the back totwo holsters designed to be located on either side and near the hips ofthe user. The holsters have hoops on them to permit a belt to beattached through them and wrapped around a user's waist. An additionalstrap in the front of the device connects the adjustable straps tosecure the device around the chest of the user and another strap on theback of the device connects the holsters around the lower back of theuser to further support and secure the device to the user.

Other embodiments of the invention may utilize additional or fewerstraps and belts to either tighten or loosen the battery holsters of theVAD around the user to achieve a comfortable and acceptable range ofmotion for a user.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device forsecuring the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securelyto the body of the user of a VAD to permit the user a full range ofmotion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for securing thebatteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securely to the body ofthe user of a VAD that is convenient to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an affordable device forsecuring the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securelyto the body of the user of a VAD.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safe device forsecuring the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securelyto the body of the user of a VAD.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a durable device forsecuring the batteries of a VAD in holsters that are attached securelyto the body of the user of a VAD.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of VAD Battery Holster is comprised of at leastsome of the following: two adjustable straps that attach in the frontand the back to two holsters with hoops having a belt through them, achest strap, and a lower back strap.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. A first adjustable strap 10 and a second adjustable strap 11are designed to be situated on either side of the front of a user andextend from the front to the back of the user. The first adjustablestrap 10 and the second adjustable strap 11 attach to the front of afirst holster 12 and the front of a second holster 13 that areapproximately rectangular and designed to hold VAD batteries.

The first holster 12 of the preferred embodiment is designed to belocated on the right side of a user above the right hip of the user, andthe second holster 13 is designed to be located on the left side of auser above the left hip of the user. The first holster 12 and the secondholster 13 have hoops on the back of them to permit a belt 14 to beattached through them and they also have flaps 15 on the front of themto allow them to be easily opened for insertion of the VAD batteries.The belt 14 can be wrapped around a user's waist to prevent the firstholster 12 and the second holster 13 from interfering with a user'srange of motion.

A chest strap 16 is connected between the first adjustable strap 10 andthe second adjustable strap 11 on the front of the device to secure thedevice around the chest of the user. The chest strap 16 has two piecesin this preferred embodiment with each piece attaching to either thefirst adjustable strap 10 or the second adjustable strap 11. The twopieces of the chest strap 16 are connected in approximately the centerto create a buckle 17. The chest strap 16 is also adjustable to fit awide range of users in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The first adjustable strap 10 and the second adjustable strap11 cross over one another on the back of the user and attach to the backof the first holster 12 and the second holster 13.

A lower back strap 20 is located between the first holster 12 and thesecond holster 13 to support and secure the device to the user. Thelower back strap 20 is also adjustable and comprised of two pieces, onewith a male and one with a female end, to permit the formation of abuckle 21 in approximately the middle when the two pieces are attachedin the preferred embodiment. The flaps 15 on the first holster 12 andthe second holster 13 and the belt 14 are also visible in this figure.

In other embodiments of the invention, additional or fewer straps andbelts may be utilized to either tighten or loosen the battery holstersof the VAD on the user to achieve a comfortable and acceptable range ofmotion for a specific user.

To use the preferred embodiment of VAD Battery Holster, an individualplaces his head through the first adjustable strap and the secondadjustable strap to situate the lower back strap on the back of the userwith the holsters above the waist of the user and the chest strap in thefront of the user. The first adjustable strap and the second adjustablestrap are then adjusted to permit a firm but comfortable fit on theuser's chest. The user then may secure the chest strap and the lowerback strap and adjust these straps to create a tight but comfortablefit. A belt can then be maneuvered through the hoops of the holsters andaround the waist of the user to further secure the holsters against thebody.

The materials utilized for VAD Battery Holster may vary widely but couldinclude metals and plastic along with other materials. The metals wouldideally be selected from available steel or alloys of steel andaluminum. The production process related to the use of these metalsinsures that the metal is non-corrosive, durable and strong. Theselected metal should have high impact strength and be capable ofaccepting and retaining coloring materials for an extended length oftime.

The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected fordurability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in themanufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention.Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materialswould be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this familyare recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

The plastic components of VAD Battery Holster can also be formed withthe use of plastic molding techniques, such as injection molding or blowmolding. Injection molding requires melted plastic to be forcefullyinjected into relatively cool molds. As the plastic begins to harden, ittakes on the shape of the mold cavity. This technique is ideal for themass production of products. Alternatively, blow molding, a form ofextrusion, could be utilized. Blow molding involves a molten tube beingpushed into a mold. Compressed air then forces the molten tube againstthe cold walls of the mold.

It should be obvious that the components of the present invention can beof various shapes and sizes. It should also be obvious that thecomponents of the invention can be made of different types of metals,plastics or other suitable materials and can be of any color.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It shouldtherefore be understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include allchanges and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

1. A device for holding batteries or other items close to the body of auser comprising: (a) a first holster connected to a first strap and asecond holster connected to a second strap; (b) a first hoop on the rearof the first holster and a second hoop on the rear of the secondholster; and (c) a belt that can be maneuvered through the first hoopand the second hoop.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first strapand the second strap are adjustable.
 3. The device of claim 1 whereinthe first strap and the second strap cross over one another such thatthe first holster also connects to the second strap and the secondholster also connects to the first strap.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein the first holster has a first flap that permits insertion of afirst battery and the second holster has a second flap that permitsinsertion of a second battery.
 5. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising: a chest strap connected between the first strap and thesecond strap.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the chest strap has afirst piece connected to the first strap and a second piece connected tothe second strap wherein the first piece has a female end and the secondpiece has a male end that form a buckle when connected.
 7. The device ofclaim 5 wherein the chest strap is adjustable.
 8. The device of claim 1further comprising: a lower back strap located between the first holsterand the second holster.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the lower backstrap has a first piece connected to the first holster and a secondpiece connected to the second holster wherein the first piece has afemale end and the second piece has a male end that form a buckle whenconnected.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the lower back strap isadjustable.
 11. A device for holding VAD batteries close to the body ofa user comprising: (a) a first holster connected to a first adjustablestrap and a second holster connected to a second adjustable strapwherein the first strap and the second strap cross over one another suchthat the first holster also connects to the second strap and the secondholster also connects to the first strap; (b) a first hoop on the rearof the first holster and a second hoop on the rear of the secondholster; (c) a belt that can be maneuvered through the first hoop andthe second hoop; (d) a first flap on the first holster to permit theinsertion of a first battery and a second flap on the second holster topermit the insertion of a second battery; (e) an adjustable chest strapconnecting the first adjustable strap and the second adjustable strap;and (f) an adjustable lower back strap connecting the first holster andthe second holster.
 12. A device for holding VAD batteries close to thebody of a user comprising: (a) a first holster connected to a firstadjustable strap and a second holster connected to a second adjustablestrap wherein the first strap and the second strap cross over oneanother such that the first holster also connects to the second strapand the second holster also connects to the first strap; (b) a firsthoop on the rear of the first holster and a second hoop on the rear ofthe second holster; (c) a belt that can be maneuvered through the firsthoop and the second hoop; (d) a first flap on the first holster topermit the insertion of a first battery and a second flap on the secondholster to permit the insertion of a second battery; (e) an adjustablechest strap that has a first piece connected to the first adjustablestrap and a second piece connected to the second adjustable strapwherein the first piece has a female end and the second piece has a maleend that form a buckle when connected; and (f) an adjustable lower backstrap that has a first piece connected to the first holster and a secondpiece connected to the second holster wherein the first piece has afemale end and the second piece has a male end that form a buckle whenconnected.